Improvement in raitway-rail-joint fastenings



Patented Jan. 12., 1815..

, P. mc nTY. Railway Rail Joint Fasteni'hgs.

mznyen'iorr Q fl 0 g UNITED STATE PA ENT DFFICEJ.

PETER MQCARTY, OFFAIRFIELD, IOWA.

Specification forming part ofLetters Patent No. 158,645, dated January 12, 1875; application filed November 2, 1874.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, PETER McGAR'rY, of Fairfield, in the county of Jefferson and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Rail-Joint Fastenin g; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is tofurnish a joint-fastening which will support'both the base and head of the rail, hold the rails firm and flush at the joint, prevent creeping, compensate for expansionand contraction by heat and cold, and strain and concussion ofmoving trains, maintain the tension of the bolts,

and hold the join t-fasteniri gs tight to the rails,

and prevent. the cross tie or ties from shitting underthe joint, or from each side of the joint, when used on two ties.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a cross vertical section, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation, of

a rail with my improvements attached; and

Figs. 3 and 4. are detail views of the same.

A A are two rails, to besecured together, each being pierced by the desired number of holes, for reception of the bolts which are to hold the fastening-s or couplings. B is a fastenln g or coupling device. It is formed in the peculiar shape shown, corresponding to the configuration of the foot and side of the rail, being composed of the three parts a b c. The base a has the flange d, whichholds the foot 12 from moving sidewise 0d the base. The

' I curved part b extends up over the foot 19. The

rail rests on the base a,and fits neatly between said part b and flange d. The part ,0 extends to, and has its upper edge beveled to conform to the shape of, the head 0, which rests on and is supported by said bevel. It is pierced by suitable holes for bolts. 0 m are mortises for spikes, to secure the coupling to the ties. The mortises m are placed under the side of thefoot 1), the latter being pro-.

vid'ed with a half mortise or notch, so that when the spike is inserted it will hold the foot of the rail. firmly in the coupling. f is a rectangular recess formed in the part c, and

s of such dimensions as to extend around each of the bolt-holes. Its depth is about one-fourth the thickness of said part 0. Its object is to hold and protect from injury the elastic cushion hereinafter described. 9 is a thin cushion of gum or other elastic material, fitted. into the recess f and around the bolt-holes. Its thickness is slightly less than the depth of said recess. h is a metallic washer, placed over the elastic cushion g, and fitted into the recess f, but free from contact with the surrounding metal. It protects the elastic cushion from injury from any cause, and furnishes a firm surface, against which the nuts 6 on bolts 70 may be tightened. l is a fish-bar. It

corresponds in size and form to the part c,

and, resting on'the base and head of the rail, makes, in connection with the coupling B, a firm support for the head 0, and prevents crushing and mashing down of the ends of the rails.

The rails being secured by the couplings,

the passage of trains will not break the bolts It, nor cause the nuts 1) to work off. The

elasticity of the cushion y will permit of suffiabutting rail, so that the upward-projecting point of the latter is struck by the car-wheel, is entirely prevented.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- A railway-rail-joint coupling, consisting of the combined chair and fish-bar B, constructed in one piece, as described, and recessed at f, elastic cushion g, washer h, and fish-bar 1, arranged to operate as and for the purpose specified.

In testimonythat I claim the foregoing as my own I afi ix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. PETER MGOARTY.

Witnesses:

JAMES SLAGLE, J r., L.W. PRINGLE. 

